Rita Lynch (aka Peewee)
August 7, 1927-June 1, 2010

Rita was born Rita Mary Spano and raised in Rockville Centre on Long Island, NY with her sister, Joan, and parents May and Thomas B. Spano. Rita lived most of her adult life as a resident on the East Side of New York City near the UN.
Drawn to all things glamorous and exciting, she started her career in radio (WOR) and went into television shortly afterwards, working for Jack Paar, Hugh Downs, David Frost, Mike Douglas, and ABC News. She was a dynamic force in her last job at the Westminster Kennel Club for over 15 years where she combined her love of dogs with her executive management skills.

Rita was an enthusiastic baseball fan, having rooted for the Dodgers and then the Mets. Her 80th birthday celebration was at the Diamond Club at Shea Stadium where she was totally decked out in Mets regalia and surrounded by loved ones. Unfortunately, the Mets blew the playoff position game right before our eyes.

Although a total New Yorker, Rita moved to Leisure World in Lansdowne, Virginia, after a fire destroyed her apartment in 2007. There she made an entirely new life with wonderful new friends and activities which she greatly enjoyed. She loved to shop and even when her health declined, she always perked up at the sight or mention of a mall or Costco's. Rita had an amazing sense of humor and zest for life right up to the end. We know she is probably running the show now wherever she is.

She is survived by two daughters, Gwen Deely of New York City, and Joan Marie Hufnagel of Montclair, Virginia, as well as her beloved son-in-law, Bill Hufnagel and two grandsons, Kevin and Tom Hufnagel, who live in Queens, New York.

If so inclined, a donation in her name may be sent to:

Station 22
Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
19485 Sandridge Way
Leesburg, Virginia, 20176

Thank you all for sharing your life with hers. We will miss her greatly.